The drill: I don't own Slam Dunk or any of its characters, they are the products of Takehiko Inoue's creative mind…I will find me a corner now and bawl my eyes out.

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NEW GIRL

The team was back from the successful joint practice game. They were able to hold their own against the top 8 team from last year's championships—1 win, 1 loss, and 1 draw. This was a good sign for the whole team, they all did their best and proved once again that their team was strong. There was also the small matter of being egged by the thought of Sakuragi taunting them with the claim that they lost because he wasn't there. That was enough encouragement for them all.

It was early morning, they were all back at the school gym ready to start practice though they've only just got back the day before. Most of them were gathered around the gym doors when Akagi arrived.

"Seems like everyone's excited to resume practice, eh? What are you all doing out here then? Come on, everyone get inside so we can start early."

"Can't…it's locked," said Rukawa who was the first one to arrive.

"What's that noise?" By now Akagi was near enough to hear the yelling and scuffling inside.

 "We've been knocking since the last five minutes but they won't open up."

"Hey open up! There better not be any fighting in there or you'll answer to me, you hear? Now, open up before I…" He was banging on the doors when they suddenly slid open, catching him by surprise. He nearly stumbled forward and fell had it not been for the sight of the girl in front of him.

"Gomen! We didn't hear you knock. We were getting everything ready for your return. I guess we were running a bit late." At this she stepped aside and told them to come in. At which everyone was spurned into action and finally got over their momentary shocked immobility. They were amazed at the sight that greeted them.

The five guys, Sakuragi and his team of sidekicks, were running through the length of the court with mops. Everything was so shiny it nearly hurt their eyes to look inside. A general murmur of nani and nandesuka can be heard among the latecomers.

"Sakuragi! You missed a spot right there…go over there and get it right this time." The guys beside her visibly cringed…she was very loud and quite emphatic. Sakuragi grumbled loudly at this but otherwise did what he was told. The girl now turned back to the people beside her smiling apologetically. Then she switched to a sweet and calm voice. "Sorry about this…we'll be finished in a few minutes."

Haruko then came in rolling in the big crate that contained the basketballs. "Oniichan! I didn't know you were coming in so early today. I see everyone else is here. That's good…you'll cover more ground today. Oh, has everybody met Keiko?" She walked to where Keiko was and started the necessary introductions.

"Minna-san, this is Keiko. She's Sakuragi's best friend and she's been helping out this past week with his training. She planned all this to welcome all of you back from your joint practice game. She's rather sweet, isn't she?" It's a bit uncertain whether they agreed with this last bit given the scene that greeted them a little earlier but they were sure appreciative of her thoughtfulness and thanked her profusely.

"Keiko, this is Ryota…Mitsui…Kogure…" they all gave Keiko a friendly wave in greeting. "…Rukawa," she pauses and, as usual, her cheeks turned pink. Keiko noticed and visibly frowned at this. Rukawa, on the other, acknowledged Keiko's existence with a measly blink to which Keiko just raised an eyebrow. "And this is my older brother." True to form, Akagi immediately introduced himself formally to the new girl to which the girl reciprocated in the same manner. He wasn't able to maintain his formal attitude, however, as he could not contain his curiosity.

"I didn't know Sakuragi had a best friend…" Keiko immediately launched into a lively (i.e. loud) explanation of her recent arrival but politely glossed over the reasons behind her absence. "…You probably never heard him mention me before because the jerk was preoccupied with his new hobby and conveniently forgot that he ever had a best friend. But that's ok…I've already chewed him out for that, not to mention a few well-aimed kicks and punches."  She grinned. "Don't worry, you'll get no trouble from him when I'm around." She ended proudly. Then she turned around and clapped her hands at her "minions".

"That's enough guys! Clear everything up so the team could practice right away." Sakuragi dropped his mop while the rest of the guys straightened and each raised a hand in salute to their drill master before proceeding to follow orders. "Hanamichi Sakuragi! What do you think you're doing?"

"Getting some rest before practice. Those guys can do the clearing up…a genius like me shouldn't have to do those things", he answered.

Keiko marched up to him and a shouting match ensued. "Who told you that you can be exempted???...Look, I'm a member of the team and as the genius around here…Genius my *&%$#! Do you want me to show them your tapes so they could see how much of a genius you really are?...You wouldn't dare!..."

"Only the red hair seems to be missing." Surprisingly, it was Rukawa who made this observation.

Mito was passing by. He paused when he heard this comment and explained. "Oh, she did have red hair a few months ago. Those two even went to the salon together. I don't know why she let it grow out though."

"A lovers' quarrel already when she's only been back a few days? Tsk tsk tsk. Sakuragi really has a way with women", it was Ryota who made this perilous comment and received a nasty glare for his efforts.

"Hey! I heard that! Even if you offered me a million dollars I wouldn't take this…", she paused to wrack her brain for some nasty word but realized suddenly that Haruko was present and decided to totally abandon  that line of thought. She just smiled. "Anyway, he has never been my type."

Mito noticed her smiling and followed her line of vision. "Oh-oh. I didn't think she noticed him earlier." He sighed and approached Kogure and said in a condoling tone, "Better get yourself ready…a freak storm is about to come your way."

The End of Part 4.

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It's pretty obvious where this story is going, ne? Not necessarily, I might still have a few surprises up my sleeve ^_^